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Toyota Corolla Electric-Assist Power Steering (EPS)

664 messages,  Last post on Dec 30, 2012 at 7:28 PM

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What is this discussion about? Toyota Corolla, Steering, Sedan

Messages Page 64 of 67

#626 of 664 Re: 2009 Toyota Corolla Steering Problem EPS [pekelvr] by budarow

Mar 07, 2011 (11:08 am)

Replying to: pekelvr (Mar 07, 2011 8:40 am)
Thanks for the information. Looks like the EPS TSB was officially issued on 10/7/2010. As I said in my earlier post, the Corolla S manufactured in 10/2010 seemed to steer fine while the car built in 8/2010 had the steering issue.
 
Maybe Toyota decided to use the better EPS computer in the cars built around the time the TSB was issued and afterwards?
 
FYI, I called the Toyota dealership to find out how much of the car had to be torn-down to replace the EPS computer and the service dept. guy told me he never heard of the EPS/steering issue or the TSB (I provided the TSB number) on the Corolla and he's never replaced a EPS computer in the 10 years he's worked at this Toyota dealership. He also went through the "menu" of other things which could cause the care to track incorrectly to include tire pressure, alignment, etc. Either the guy is full of BSt or perhaps he's just the "oil change" guy.
 
The EPS computer replacement must be VERY expensive to perform (parts and labor) because there seems to be a conspiracy among dealerships to avoid the repair even if confronted with the TSB information.
 
Does anyone with a 2010 Corolla built in October of 2010 or later (in Canada) have the EPS/steering issue?
 
Thanks Budarow

#627 of 664 Re: 2009 Toyota Corolla Steering Problem EPS [budarow] by wishin_4a_ford

Mar 08, 2011 (4:59 am)

Replying to: budarow (Mar 07, 2011 11:08 am)
We bought 2 2010 Corolla's. The first was an LE, and the second an S. As many of you already know the only difference between the two cars is cosmetic and tire size since the LE came with 15" steel wheels. The LE had the steering problem from day one. We had test driven an identical LE with Firestone tires, and the delivered one with Goodyear tires. They disclosed that the car we were being delivered wasn't the car test driven after much of the paper work had been signed. We purchased the car over the weekend, so on Monday I took the car to the dealer to complain about the steering issue. I was told that it was just the difference in the tires that were on the two cars, but that since it was an issue they would order a set of new Firestone tires for the car. I opted to pay a little out of pocket and get a new set of Michelin tires instead. This didn't correct the steering issue. I later complained about the steering on a service appointment to which I was told there was nothing wrong with the car. I mentioned the TSB that stated to replace the steering computer and they were reluctant to complete the TSB, and it seemed that Toyota was reluctant to approve ESP computer replacements. When we received the car back from getting the new ESP computer the steering issue was still present so I called to complain. I was told that they had checked for codes on the computer and couldn't find anything wrong. I then requested that they drive it and an identically equipped 2010 from dealer stock and tell me that there wasn't as issue. I new it wasn't right because we already had the 2010 Corolla S and it didn't have the issue, and neither did the LE we test drove. After they did a comparison run, they agreed that something was wrong with our LE. 2 months later they had us bring the car back in for some diagnostic work to try and trouble shoot the problem. After several hours, and numerous different attempts to find the issue the engineers at Toyota told them to put a new EPS rack in the car. We were given the car back to drive while we waited for the new rack to arrive at the dealer. When the new rack arrived at the dealer they called us to bring the car in. We did so, and the steering is as good as the steering in a 2010 Corolla-Corolla XLE can be. (I assume that the steering in the XRS is different.)

#629 of 664 Re: 2009 Toyota Corolla Steering Problem EPS [chuck4you] by pekelvr

Mar 08, 2011 (8:26 am)

I applaud your persistence and good for you! Earlier when I tried alerting everyone about the steering and EPS issue I said, dont take no for an answer. If you have to tell them like I did that they would hear from my attorney when I died in the car because they refused to fix the problem then and only then did the "new EPS box" all of a sudden appear and the rep directly from Toyota called my dealer and told them to order it and put in my car. Sometimes you have to get a little bit loud to be heard and after all isnt it the squeaky wheel in this case tires that get the grease or EPS..lol

#630 of 664 Re: 2009 Toyota Corolla Steering Problem EPS [pekelvr] by wishin_4a_ford

Mar 08, 2011 (10:41 pm)

Replying to: pekelvr (Mar 08, 2011 8:26 am)
LOL, I must agree. We were actually going through the EPS problem, and the gas pedal recall junk at the same time. After the gas pedal recall had been performed, and they were giving me crap about there being nothing wrong with the steering in the LE the service manager and myself actually ended up on the sales floor yelling at each other. They had written the work order for the replacement of the EPS computer as a goodwill item. I told them that since it was a TSB, and that the work order was a legal document that I would NOT sign it unless it was corrected. I felt that they were trying to make it look like they were going above and beyond by replacing parts that were good to try to satisfy us. This was NOT the case, and I was NOT going to sign a work order or any other document that could be used to twist the situation in such a manner. I was told that if I didn't sign the work order that they couldn't perform the work. I told him that I would sign a work order after it was corrected to state the actual situation, and he would not change it. I then told him not to worry about it, that we would continue to drive the vehicle, but that I found it funny that Toyota was so worried about taking care of the gas pedal recall when it was the steering that was going to get someone killed! I also told them that I was simply waiting for an accident to happen! I was going to sue not only Toyota for making the POS, but them for selling us a vehicle other than the one we had test driven, and not disclosing it until after a large portion of the paperwork was already signed, as well as them not trying to correct the steering issue in the first place. I also told the service manger that I would make sure that the service manager was personally named in the suit! The work order never did get corrected, but I never did sign it either!

#631 of 664 Re: 2009 Toyota Corolla Steering Problem EPS [wishin_4a_ford] by sajsan

Mar 10, 2011 (4:13 pm)

Replying to: wishin_4a_ford (Mar 08, 2011 10:41 pm)
To my prior post of why i walked away from 2011 Corolla because of unsafe steering.
 
I did get a great buy on 2008 Corolla CE; The steering and handling is superb and safe.
 
Strangely enough, the manager of the dealership did not admit there was an issue; his response was - I have never heard of any issue regarding steering. Not just 1 but 2 dealerships said the same; 1 did say yes they were aware of it.
 
Anyway, i have completed the letter of concern to Toyota both Japan & Canada; this cannot continue. I am a loyal Toyota customer but when the company does not respect our judgement, then why should we continue to buy their products and support them.
 
Kudos to Lemon Aid guide for giving this a not recommended status due to steering issue.

#632 of 664 Re: Steering Int-Shaft Knocking noise [mantech] by sajsan

Mar 10, 2011 (4:19 pm)

Replying to: mantech (Mar 06, 2011 4:42 pm)
TSB is supposed to cover irrespective whether your car is in or out of warranty.
For example, the engine tsb ECM module was out of warranty for most vehicles, they were done.
I suggest that you call Toyota right away. If that does not work, you should send a registered letter to Toyota Japan.
 
When i nearly lost my life due to a known suspension defect in 1999 corolla, i reported this issue to the newspapers, send a letter to the dept of transport, Insurance and Toyota Japan saying i was not liable if any one was killed due to this faulty vehicle.
 
They did replace the entire suspension; i was the first one in north america to get the fix. They then had a secret tsb to fix if only customers complained.

#633 of 664 Re: Steering Int-Shaft Knocking noise [sajsan] by mantech

Mar 12, 2011 (11:39 am)

Replying to: sajsan (Mar 10, 2011 4:19 pm)
Thanks for your suggestion, I will do that...

#634 of 664 I hate EPS column mounted by Toyota! by cynth1

May 13, 2011 (12:11 pm)

I have been driving my 2009 Corolla S for over a couple of years now and yes, steering is a headache. I thought that if I kept the car, I would start liking it, but it never happened. Every single complaint about it's column mounted EPS is true! It is WOBLY, FLIMSY, LACK of staight line tracking, and yes you constantly need to do MICRO-adjusting when your driving at high speed. And if you drive a LOT of miles on the FREEEWAY, it is very tiring because you CONSTANTLY have to BABYSIT your steering. It makes driving not relaxing at all! It is too much EXTRA WORK for the driver..it is just too much menace! I don't know why I kept it for so long, but I am definitely going to another dealer to trade it in! It is so NOT worth keeping for all the aggravations you get out of driving it!!! Too all people who got this kind of Corolla, go ahead and keep on complaining and add it to you blogs. And to those who have already written to Toyota, kudos to all of you.

Messages Page 64 of 67

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